Wesley Corpus

17.--I preached on the Green at Bedminster. I am apt to think many of the hearers scarce ever heard a IMethodist before, or perhaps any other Preacher. What but field-preaching could reach these poor sinners? their souls also precious in the sight of God? And are not Sun. 18.--I preached in the morning in Princess-Street, to a mumerous congregation. Two or three gentlemen, so called, laughed at first; but in a few minutes they were as serious as the rest. On Monday evening I gave our brethren a solemn caution, not to “love the world, neither the things of the world.” This will be their grand danger: As they are industrious and frugal, they must needs increase in goods. This appears already: In London, Bristol, and most other trading towns, those who are in business have increased in substance seven-fold, some of them twenty, yea, an hundred-fold. What need, then, have these of the strongest warnings, lest they be entangled therein, and perish ! Fri. 23.--I preached at Bath. Riding home we saw a coffin, carrying into St. George's church, with many children attending it. When we came near, we found they were our own children, attending the corpse of one of their school-fellows, who had died of the small-pox; and God thereby touched many of their hearts in a manner they never knew before. Mon. 26.--I preached to the prisoners in Newgate, and in the afternoon rode over to Kingswood, where I had a solemn watch-night, and an opportunity of speaking closely to the children. One is dead, two recovered, seven are ill still; and the hearts of all are like melting wax. Tues. 27.--I took my leave of the congregation at Bristol, by opening and applying those words, (by which no flesh living shall be justified,) “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” I believe an eminent Deist, who was present, will not easily forget that hour; he was (then at least) deeply affected, and felt he stood in need of an “Advocate with the Father.” Wednesday, and Thursday evening, I spent at Salisbury; and with no small satisfaction. Friday, 30. I preached about one at Whitchurch, and then rode to Basingstoke. Even here there is at length some prospect of doing good. A large 148 REv. J. WESLEY’s [Oct. 1763.